Press Releases

Wed, Jul 13, 2011

Avondale’s Zoom Circulator Bus Route Gets the Green Flag

Phoenix, AZ (July 13, 2011) On Monday, July 25, the official green flag will fly when the Zoom neighborhood circulator buses “start their engines” to serve the residents in Avondale. The public is encouraged to attend an event to help celebrate the official qualifying round of service, which will include local officials, special guests and a Phoenix International Raceway pace car. Zoom Kick-off—A “Green Flag” Celebration

“Our residents told us they would like alternative modes of transportation to move around the community to shop, dine, get to work or attend institutions of higher learning,” said Avondale Mayor Marie Lopez Rogers. “The Zoom circulator service offers an economical, convenient and greener way to take people to the places they need and want to go around town, as well as make connections to routes that will take them to destinations outside Avondale.”

The Zoom bus, with its unique bright red logo and checkered flag graphics, will traverse a 14-mile route between 5:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. each weekday in accessible vehicles that seat between 8 and 11 passengers. Service operates every 30 minutes taking passengers to local destinations and attractions for 50 cents per trip. However, for the very first week of service, July 25 – 29, ridership on the Zoom will be free.

The route, which is funded by federal and local sources, was given the green flag after the completion of a feasibility study and public input in 2010. Eighty-four percent of residents said they would either use the service often or occasionally if the community shuttle was available to them. With transit service across the Valley being reduced due to budget and sales tax declines, the route was viewed as a positive step forward for the local community and the destinations it would serve.

Funding of the route is provided by federal and local funds. Operations of the route will be provided by the Regional Public Transportation Authority (RPTA). The route will connect with Valley Metro bus Route 3 at the Avondale Civic Center and Route 17A at 99th and McDowell avenues. Full fare must be paid when boarding these routes.

For more information about Zoom, go to www.avondale.org/zoom. All Valley Metro transit information is available at ValleyMetro.org or by calling 602.253.5000; TTY 602.251.2039.

Valley Metro RPTA provides eco-friendly public transit options to residents of greater Phoenix and Maricopa County, including a clean-fuel bus fleet, low-emissions light rail, a bio-diesel Dial-a-Ride fleet, online carpool matching and bus trip mapping, bicycle safety and telework assistance. Funding is provided by local and federal revenues. A board of 16 governments sets the policy direction for the agency and works to improve and regionalize the public transit system.

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